New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-02
PROTECTING THE FISHERMEN.


The Administration deserves credit for
sending three vessels of war to Canadian
waters to watch the operations OF the cruisers.
The interests of the American fishing feet
were imperlled in tat quarter, and 1T was
wise to have a small squadron of the Banks
with the flag conspicuously splaycd Ail-
miraI I,uce moreover his shown commend
able energy in obta ming official information
from the Canadian authorities respecting Their
treatment Of American f'hcrm n lie mas
submitted six leading questions to Ca tam
Scott in regard to the rgh 5 OF American
vessels in Canadian p RS and has had printed
copies of the answers dis ributed among the
fishermen. Information which the State De-
nartment ought to have provided at the be-
ginning of the season has thus been placed
al the disposal of the Fl heimcn. They LETT
port with general instr ctions from their
owners to keep out OF Canadian ports and TO
avoid fishing within thee miles OF shore.
Admiral Luce has supplied them with valu-
able informant n When they enter Can
adam port they will know what to expect,
if they fail to comply with the gcrous code
formulated by Captain Scott.
Without crititising Adm raj Luce's action.
which seems to have been prudent ana IN
telIigent we find il ncce sary to reJeot the
theory. that tn Amer can squadron Is actively
ur.bolding the RICH o. the fishermen. III Is
doing much to pr tect them az INST arbitrary
seizures fines and forfci urcs by warning
them to keep out of Canadian ports but 1t
is not defining their r ghts nor a ding them IN
securing them. The Richmond, OSsipcc and
n..;, In cau Al ~
coh q ND and down the fishing grounds AMI
circulating the drastic regulations OF inc
Canadian officials Admiral Lncc, in letter
to fishing firms in Portland, Icic-s to Captain
SCOTS answers and then aids that the Can
adam courts have decided tn the presence
OF an American fs.crman INSIDE the taIcc-
mile limit and moi on his way to obtain
necessary wood, water, repairs or shelter, Is
prima facic evidence OF H. Intention TO vlo-
late treaty obligations by fish G. lie has
thus imjaltcd information to the owners ana
masters Of fishing vessels respecting the cA-
trcme Canadian view OF the scanty privileges
accorded 10 thcih by the Treaty OF 1918. lie
has not told them what right they have IN
der the American Interpretation OF that Treaty
or under the rccipr, Cal cormCrc al arrange
mepts OF 1880. The fishc men ar no. pro-
tocted in their rights aad privileges, bat are
simply warned against running into Canadian
ports and mourning the risk OF arbitrary en-
forcemcnt Of most rigorous and harasSinS
customs rcgulat ons.
1t is important that the precise Junction OF
the American squadron in those waters should
he understood by the pubic. Animal Luce
is virtually cooperating with ptaln scout
and the cruisers in enforcing policy oil non
intercourse. The cruiser anchored OF shore
warns the fishermen to keep out OF port.
The American vessels OF war scur1Tng up
and down the coast with printed copies oil
CaJtain SCOTS decisions repeat the warning.
The two fleets Te practically carrying out
the policy Of the Dominion officials. Whiic
American fishermen have definite informal on
respecting the fate awaiting them if they ven
lure inside the tn ec mile lin t, their nights
have been virtually abandoned By the GOV
crnmcnt ami the Unite1 Stat Wy. ms
IS the Administrators mctlod oil UNFOLDING
American privileges No doubt the number
Of outrages will be less ned by the pIecau-
tons taken by mrai Luce, and In THIS
sense the fishcrmen arc protected. But this
exemntion is purchased at high pic, when
American rights are virtually renowned and
a policy of hostility and intimidation Is ST.
l1ntly acqu' seed in.
For the sake of presenting an alternative
policy let us suppose thai Admiral Luce has
distributed among American fishermen an
official declaration from the State Depart
ment of their rights under the Treaty OF 1918
and the international agreement Of 1880.
han, haxyc In. Tho cxtqnf To
which their own Government would support
them IN the exercise of their rights. Let us
suppose once more that selznrcs ana forfeit
urcs had followed the at empt on the part OF
the fishermen 10 make use OF their privileges
and that the Retaliation &C had at once been
enforced by the Pres dent. This would have
been genuine protection OF the rights oil
American fishermen.